Grieving mum says baby-loss certificates 'valuable'

Kellie has polycystic ovaries which can cause difficulties getting pregnant

A woman from Lincolnshire who has had two miscarriages has said the introduction of a baby-loss certificate will “transform the grieving process”.

Bereaved parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy in England can now receive a certificate in recognition of their loss.

Kellie Pyart, 29, from North Hykeham, near Lincoln, lost two babies in early pregnancy in 2018 and 2019.

“In early pregnancy there are no mementos to keep and no baby to bury," Ms Pyart said.

Kellie Pyart first became pregnant in August 2018 and lost the pregnancy at 10 weeks.

“I did not know who I could reach out to. It was a taboo subject.

“When someone dies you can have a funeral but I could not,” she said.

She lost her second baby at eight weeks in 2019 and found it difficult having nothing physical to mark the death.

Kellie has polycystic ovarian syndrome which can cause difficulties getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or no ovulation.

'It proves my babies existed'

Ms Pyart believes a baby-loss certificate will aid the grieving process.

”It confirms it happened, it confirms the baby’s existence.

"I can show any future children [evidence of] their sibling," she said.

"I had nothing to remember my babies, no special place," Kellie said.

Kellie is now 22 weeks pregnant with what she calls her “rainbow baby”.

But she admits the miscarriages have clouded her current pregnancy.

“Any minute there is anything unusual or 'off' like irregular bleeding, it makes me anxious and [my mind jumps] to the worst scenario.

“I get scared my chance to be a mother will be ripped away again,” she said.

All parents who have experienced baby loss since September 2018 can apply.

They should visit the gov.uk website - applicants must be at least 16 years old, have been living in England at the time of the loss and be one of the baby's parents or surrogate parent.

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